This October, I’m taking on 90 miles for Mind.

This one is particularly personal to me.

Over the last few years, I’ve had my own mental health challenges. Following some very difficult periods in my personal life, I’ve undergone treatment for anxiety, depression, and PTSD. I’m also currently awaiting a formal AuDHD diagnosis.

Mental health and neurodiversity aren’t things I only understand from my own experience either. Both of my children are awaiting formal assessments, and I’ve seen other family members, friends and colleagues go through their own struggles with mental health.

When you’ve experienced it yourself or watched someone you care about struggle, you realise how important it is for people to have somewhere to turn.

Sometimes simply admitting that you’re struggling is difficult enough. Finding the right support shouldn’t be another battle on top of that.

That’s why the work Mind does matters so much to me.

Right now, Mind’s phone lines are the busiest they’ve ever been. Around 1 in 4 of us in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year, and far too many people are still left struggling in silence, waiting for help, or feeling like they’ve run out of options.

Mind provides somewhere to turn. Whether that’s through their helplines, information and resources, local services, their online community Side by Side, or their work pushing for better mental health support.

So for me, these 90 miles aren’t really about the distance.

Every mile is for someone who is struggling.

For the people who don’t know where to turn.

For the people waiting for support.

For the families and friends trying to help someone they love.

And for anyone who has ever felt like they’ve run out of options.

If you’re able to support my 90 Miles in October challenge, I’d be incredibly grateful. Every donation helps Mind continue making sure that information, support, and somewhere to turn is available when people need it most.

Please consider donating to my fundraising page 🙏🏻

Thank you 💙